float 1 of 2

1
as in to hover
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air a canoe floating down the river particles of dust floating in the air

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2

float

2 of 2

noun

as in dock
a structure used by boats and ships for taking on or landing cargo and passengers the crew put the cargo on the float before heading back down the river

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of float
Verb
The president also floated cutting Chinese tariffs to 80%. Grace Miserocchi, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025 Trump, in a phone call with Johnson on Wednesday, floated the idea of a higher tax bracket for top earners, albeit with a carve-out for small businesses, CNBC reported. Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 9 May 2025
Noun
Located in the heart of downtown Apalachicola on Market Street, Old Time Soda Fountain delivers the perfect classic 1950s soda fountain vibes alongside a huge selection of ice cream, shakes, floats, phosphates, and other old-school treats. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2025 Nashville’s answer is the very, very gay Pink Door Cookies, where every cookie looks like a parade float, with flavors ranging from pink lemonade to peanut brittle banana. Nico Lang, Them., 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for float
Recent Examples of Synonyms for float
Verb
  • In contrast, Trump, who Forbes estimates has a net worth hovering around $5 billion, has surrounded himself with other billionaires, appointing several of them to the wealthiest presidential cabinet in U.S. history.
    Rachel Barber, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • Defensive linemen, edge rushers, tight ends and receivers can all clear above $500,000, and some hovered close to $1 million in the winter portal window.
    Sam Khan Jr., New York Times, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Animals roam freely without the need for paved paths.
    Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 12 May 2025
  • Phillip left that night with a wad of cash, and, still under the influence, began roaming the city.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • There was no way to survive between boat payments and dock fees and no income.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2025
  • In the next scene, Reese is sitting on a dock, reading a social media post announcing the death of Bruce, who was killed in the shooting.
    Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Winners sail to blue oceans instead, creating uncontested market space where competition becomes irrelevant.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • McGriff — the poster boy for the Clean Sluggers of America — sailed in unanimously.
    Jayson Stark, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Without the puck, Nurse and Bouchard have the same weakness (read and react, wandering).
    Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 3 May 2025
  • Instead, Shuai wanders about pouring other people’s drinks.
    Caroline Framke, Vulture, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • Stonington, Maine: After two devastating storms, plans are multiplying to raise and fortify wharves, roads and buildings.
    Mike Belleme, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
  • On Monday, a 150ft section of the Santa Cruz wharf collapsed while being hit by high waves.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Corey Walsh, 22, a plumber from Melbourne, was swimming with friends off a chartered boat near the island of Ko Racha Yai on Tuesday, May 6, when he was pulled by a strong current, according to The Age, 7 News Australia and News.com.au.
    David Chiu, People.com, 12 May 2025
  • If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Rebalance Regularly Over time, your portfolio may drift from your original allocation due to market movements.
    Francis Gingras Roy, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • Flower beds burst with color thanks to the volunteer Village Gardeners, heritage buildings peek out from redwoods, and the hum of conversation drifts from coffee cups at Sue’s cafe.
    Belal Aftab, Mercury News, 13 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Float.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/float. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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